Ballistic art

Abstract

A ballistic art shield that includes an outwardly-facing surface, an inwardly-facing surface, and a ballistic resistant material. The outwardly-facing surface has a generally planar configuration and the inwardly-facing surface is oriented in an opposing direction to the outwardly-facing surface. The inwardly-facing surface has a generally planar configuration and includes at least one handle that is adjustable to a low profile position with respect to the inwardly-facing surface. The ballistic resistant material is disposed between the outwardly-facing surface and the inwardly facing surface. The outwardly-facing surface includes a shroud for concealing the ballistic resistant material and has a disguised appearance resembling a wall-hung interior wall décor item.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A concealed ballistic art shield, comprising:
 an outwardly-facing surface, having a generally planar configuration; 
 an inwardly-facing surface, oriented in an opposing direction to the outwardly-facing surface, having a generally planar configuration, and including at least one handle; 
 wherein the at least one handle is tension spring loaded and configured for quick-release adjustment from a low profile position, where the handle is of low profile with respect to the inwardly-facing surface, to a deployed position where the handle extends inwardly for gripping via removal of a detachable release pin that otherwise extends across the inwardly-facing surface and retains the handle; and 
 a ballistic resistant material disposed between the outwardly-facing surface and the inwardly facing surface; 
 wherein the outwardly-facing surface comprises a shroud for concealing the ballistic resistant material, having a disguised appearance resembling an wall-hung interior wall décor item. 
 
     
     
       2. The concealed ballistic art shield of  claim 1 , wherein the wall-hung interior wall décor item is comprised of one or more of the following items: artwork, sign, poster, photograph banner, signboard, painting and graphic. 
     
     
       3. The concealed ballistic art shield of  claim 1 , wherein the inwardly-facing surface contains a wall mounting structure. 
     
     
       4. The concealed ballistic art shield of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one handle is configured to recess within the inwardly-facing surface. 
     
     
       5. The concealed ballistic art shield of  claim 1 , wherein the ballistic resistant material includes one or more of: Kevlar, UHMWPE, Lexan, and carbon fiber composite material. 
     
     
       6. The concealed ballistic art shield of  claim 1 , wherein the outwardly-facing surface includes a frame. 
     
     
       7. The concealed ballistic art shield of  claim 1 , wherein the shield contains a plurality of sleeve supports by which the concealed ballistic art shield can be tethered to another concealed ballistic art shield. 
     
     
       8. The concealed ballistic art shield of  claim 1 , wherein the shield includes an alarm that detects when the ballistic art shield is in use. 
     
     
       9. A concealed ballistic art shield, comprising:
 a ballistic resistant material including an outwardly-facing planar surface and an inwardly facing surface oriented in opposing directions; 
 a frame and wall décor assembly, extending over and around the outwardly-facing planar surface of the ballistic resistant material such that the ballistic resistant material is concealed; 
 an interior panel extending at least partially over the inwardly facing planar surface of the ballistic resistant material; and 
 wherein the interior panel includes a wall mounting structure and at least one handle adjustable to a low profile position against or recessed within a portion of the interior panel; 
 wherein the at least one handle is tension spring loaded and configured for quick-release adjustment from the low profile position to a deployed position in which the handle extends inwardly for gripping via removal of a detachable release pin that otherwise extends across the interior panel and retains the handle. 
 
     
     
       10. The concealed ballistic art shield of  claim 9 , wherein the frame and wall décor assembly comprises one or more of the following items: artwork, sign, poster, photograph banner, signboard, painting and image. 
     
     
       11. The concealed ballistic art shield of  claim 9 , wherein the interior panel includes a pair of handles. 
     
     
       12. The concealed ballistic art shield of  claim 9 , wherein the handle is biased to a deployed position when the detachable release pin constraining the handle is removed. 
     
     
       13. The concealed ballistic art shield of  claim 9 , wherein the ballistic resistant material includes one or more of: Kevlar, UHMWPE, Lexan, and carbon fiber composite material. 
     
     
       14. The concealed ballistic art shield of  claim 9 , wherein the shield contains a plurality of sleeve supports by which the concealed ballistic art shield can be tethered to another concealed ballistic art shield. 
     
     
       15. A concealed ballistic art shield, comprising:
 a ballistic resistant material including an outwardly-facing planar surface and an inwardly facing planar surface oriented in opposing directions, the ballistic resistant material sized for insertion within an interior perimeter of a wall-hung picture frame; 
 an interior panel, coupled to the inwardly facing planar surface of the ballistic resistant material; 
 wherein the interior panel contains a plurality of flanges that extend outwardly beyond the perimeter of the ballistic resistant material and provide attachment locations for mounting the interior panel to a wall-hung picture frame; and 
 wherein the interior panel includes at least one handle adjustable to a low profile position against or within a portion of the interior panel; 
 wherein the at least one handle is tension spring loaded and configured for quick-release adjustment from the low profile position to a deployed position in which the handle extends inwardly for gripping via removal of a detachable release pin that otherwise extends across the interior panel and retains the handle. 
 
     
     
       16. The concealed ballistic art shield of  claim 15 , wherein the interior panel includes a pair of handles. 
     
     
       17. The concealed ballistic art shield of  claim 15 , wherein the ballistic resistant material includes one or more of: Kevlar, UHMWPE, Lexan, and carbon fiber composite material.